1.31.2011

Can I just say that any holiday that uses an overwhelming amount of saturated reds and pinks in it's celebration is OK by me?

As I was going through my Valentine inspiration files this year I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the powerful, strong colors popping off the pages. I was inspired...and the artist in me just want to dip my brush in and explore the variation and intensity of the wonderful hues.

So for this years Valentines cards, that is just what Little A and I did. We jumped right into a little "Color Theory 101", and ran with it.

I started us out by going through my acrylic craft paints, choosing a variation of beautiful reds (wine, cranberry, tomato, blood, etc.) and then threw in orange to warm things up and white to push us a little into the pink zone.

I then drew out a grid for us to place the various, scrumptious hues.

Little A got right to work. He was very interested in blending colors so we got to the pinks right away. From there I had him mostly work with one color at a time, blending here and there with other colors if he chose to. I was sure to point out the amazing, subtle variations that one hue, RED, could have. I also worked right alongside him, helping him fill in random squares throughout the grid.

He got really into it...taking things pretty seriously (as you can see here).

In no time at all, the entire grid was filled with delicious, eye popping colors.

It really was a little mini work of art. In fact, I almost hated the idea of cutting this up into little Valentines...I almost wanted to frame it and hang it on the wall!

Well cut away we did (but not until I scanned it in), creating little mini custom works of art for each of his classmates and teachers.

We then addressed the cards and fit them into business card size vellum envelopes (that I've had hanging around, and dying to use, for forever).

Of course no Valentine would be complete without a little candy, so we placed a decadent dove chocolate cherry swirl heart in each one (and can I just say yummy!).

I then added little conversation heart sayings to the front of each envelope using some of my favorite pens (these seriously come in SO handy. I'm addicted...and you will be too).

Little A and I had a wonderful afternoon creating these. In fact he's asked me a couple times since if we could make more valentines...

and hey...I'm all for spreading the love around...

...so much so that we have created a downloadable pdf version here for you to use if you don't have time to make one of your own. Just click here to get started.

These are absolutely gorgeous! I saw a link to these over at Silly Eagle Books and am so glad I clicked through. I can't wait to try these with my daughter, good thing we have a few days left until the big day!

Love this idea. I was looking for some artwork to put in our kids bathroom walls when I came across this little number. We (my three kids) did it on canvas boards, it looks fantastic. Thanks for the wonderful idea.

This is adorable and I want to say thanks for sharing. I made my daughter make one for her grandma on Mothers Day and she was thrilled. We didn't have access to plastic envelopes so we used these foil ones http://www.jampaper.com/Envelopes/FoilEnvelopes/FoilEnvelopeswithPeelSealClosure but they still seemed to go over well. I'm thinking of doing this for my holiday cards and adding glitter. I hope my daughter is ready for it :)